4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PROCESS
The first phase of an environmental assessment is called an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
and the second is Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) or simply detailed EIA. a) Initial Environmental Examination (lEE)
IEE is carried out to determine whether potentially adverse environmental effects are significant or whether mitigation measures can be adopted to reduce or eliminate these adverse effects. The IEE contains a brief statement of key environmental issues, based on readily available information, and is used in the early (pre-feasibility) phase of project planning. The IEE also suggests whether in-depth studies are needed. When an IEE is able to provide a definite solution to environmental problems, an EIA is not necessary. IEE also requires expert advice and technical input from environmental specialists so that potential environmental problems can be clearly defined.